Synthetic materials engineer

Description

Synthetic materials engineers develop new synthetic materials processes or improve existing ones. They design and construct installations and machines for the production of synthetic materials and examine samples of raw materials in order to ensure quality.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to synthetic materials engineer:

plastics quality engineer
polymers research engineer
plastics development engineer
polymers development engineer
synthetic materials development engineer
polymers production engineer
plastics engineer
synthetic materials production engineer
polymers engineer
synthetic materials research engineer
synthetic materials quality engineer
plastics research engineer
plastics production engineer
polymers quality engineer

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as synthetic materials engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Synthetic materials engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Synthetic materials engineer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to synthetic materials engineer.

calculation engineer
chemical tester
automotive engineer
materials engineer
naval architect

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of synthetic materials engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of synthetic materials engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of synthetic materials engineer.

Manufacturing processes: The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.
Injection moulding machine parts: Parts of the machine that melts and injects molten plastic into moulds such as the hopper, the reciprocating screw, the injection barrel and the injection cylinder.
Design principles: The elements used in design such as unity, scale, proportion, balance, symmetry, space, form, texture, colour, light, shade and congruence and their application into practice.
Chemical processes: The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
Civil engineering: The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.
Types of plastic: Types of plastic materials and their chemical composition, physical properties, possible issues and usage cases.
Synthetic materials: The production and characteristics of synthetic materials such as synthetic fibres, synthetic paper, synthetic resins or synthetic rubber.
Basic chemicals: The production and characteristisc of organic basic chemicals such as ethanol, methanol, benzene and inorganic basic chemicals such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of synthetic materials engineer.

Handle chemicals: Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.
Design process: Identify the workflow and resource requirements for a particular process, using a variety of tools such as process simulation software, flowcharting and scale models.
Adjust engineering designs: Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Use hand tools: Utilize tools that are powered by hand, such as screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, drills and knives to manipulate materials and help create and assemble various products.
Design engineering components: Design engineering parts, assemblies, products, or systems.
Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
Work with chemicals: Handle chemicals and select specific ones for certain processes. Be aware of the reactions which arise from combining them.
Manage processes: Manage processes by defining, measuring, controlling and improving them with the goal to meet customer requirements profitably.
Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
Manage environmental impact of operations: Manage the interaction with and impact on the environment by companies. Identify and assess environmental impacts of the production process and related services, and regulate a reduction of the effects on the environment and on people. Organise action plans and monitor any indicators of improvement.
Analyse production processes for improvement: Analyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of synthetic materials engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Communication: Exchanging and conveying information, ideas, concepts, thoughts, and feelings through the use of a shared system of words, signs, and semiotic rules via a medium.
Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
Quality assurance methodologies: Quality assurance principles, standard requirements, and the set of processes and activities used for measuring, controlling and ensuring the quality of products and processes.
Electrical machines: Electrical apparatus that are able to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy (generators), electrical energy to mechanical energy (motors), and change the voltage level of an AC or alternating current (transformers).

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of synthetic materials engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Test materials: Test the composition, characteristics, and use of materials in order to create new products and applications. Test them under normal and extraordinary conditions.
Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Use technical drawing software: Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.
Perform maintenance on installed equipment: Perform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.
Assemble machines: Assemble machines according to instructions and specifications.
Examine engineering principles: Analyse the principles that need to be considered for engineering designs and projects such as functionality, replicability, costs and other principles.
Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.
Build machines: Design and construct machines and installations for manufacturing purposes.
Anticipate installation maintenance: Prepare resources and activities to execute installation maintenance, according to budget needs.
Measure materials: Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

ISCO group and title

2145 – Chemical engineers

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Synthetic materials engineer – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022